"Move to California. Malibu is paradise." -- David Geffen
Don't worry about all the homeowners, it is possible to find places to rent in Malibu and experience some of that posh lifestyle for yourself. The ultimate beach community made famous by Malibu Barbie (of the ultimate fantasy tween girl variety who apparently has nothing better to do than sit around on the beach working on her tan and go shopping in her matching convertibles), its most famed beaches include Zuma Beach and Surfriders. Here 13,000 residents enjoy all of the great perks of a relaxing beach community, located off Los Angeles' more upscale arenas.
When it comes to finding a place to rent in Malibu, the most important thing to keep in mind is that timing is everything
"Move to California. Malibu is paradise." -- David Geffen
Don't worry about all the homeowners, it is possible to find places to rent in Malibu and experience some of that posh lifestyle for yourself. The ultimate beach community made famous by Malibu Barbie (of the ultimate fantasy tween girl variety who apparently has nothing better to do than sit around on the beach working on her tan and go shopping in her matching convertibles), its most famed beaches include Zuma Beach and Surfriders. Here 13,000 residents enjoy all of the great perks of a relaxing beach community, located off Los Angeles' more upscale arenas.
When it comes to finding a place to rent in Malibu, the most important thing to keep in mind is that timing is everything. Most apartments require a one year minimum lease. It is best to begin your search in late spring for a fall move-in. If you are thinking of renting a beach place (lucky you), start looking even earlier! Many beach homes offer short-term leases just for the summer months, and the best houses will often be gone by April. Wherever you rent, bring a checkbook as the standard month's rent is required as a security deposit.
Just eight miles wide, Malibu has one road that bisects it, the famed Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH. This long strip of land is typically broken into East, West and Central Malibu, with each "neighborhood" having its own style. Along the entire corridor are tightly-packed beachfront properties on one side and inland homes and scattered condo buildings spread out along a series of rugged, parallel canyons on the other. The beach, however, is what many residents crave, and there is a premium to live there. But even if you're not looking for a beachfront property, regular rental properties in Malibu can still be found in any of these three neighborhoods:
Eastern Malibu: Malibu's Topanga State Beach ends just past the Malibu Pier. Get a Surfrider enclosed patio looking out to the ocean, or have drinks at Moonshadows Malibu to rub elbows with billionaires. Its proximity to Santa Monica makes Eastern Malibu a good choice for those who have to drive to a job in LA.
Central Malibu: Central Malibu begins at the entrance to Malibu lagoon and extends seven miles to the promontory known as Point Dumet. Central Malibu doesn't exactly have a downtown, but the closest thing to a commercial center is here. Central Malibu also has a few studio and one-bedroom apartments that are spacious, sunny and within walking distance to the beach, and it is also not uncommon to find apartments with paid utilities here. If you want to get up close with the stars, you could live on the beach in the famed enclave of Malibu Colony, a magnet for celebrities since 1929.
Western Malibu: Farther west, beyond Point Dume, is the less populated Western Malibu. Although Zumasport athletic field is a big thing here, there are some lovely areas for those wishing to be even further out than the normal quiet life of mainland Malibu.
Malibu is a relaxing community, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. And the residents like it that way. With such stunning natural beauty, limitless activities revolve around the outdoors, from swimming and surfing to hiking and biking in the mountains. Solstice Canyon, with its view of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a favorite. With one movie theater and just a handful of coffee shops and restaurants, Malibu has the feel of a neighborhood, with movie stars as neighbors, that is. For fun after sundown, most residents make the drive to Santa Monica or beyond. But before you head out to Santa Monica, have dinner at Geoffrey's Malibu, Gravina Malibu or The Sunset.
You can't sugar coat it, it's expensive to live in Malibu. Gasoline and grocery prices are higher. It's also far from the rest of the city, so if you have a 9-5 job in LA, your commute could be brutal. But it is quiet, and people who value their privacy find plenty of it here. In fact, the town can be downright sleepy. But even with that, the residents stay. Malibu's magic is that powerful.
